Kulekhani I and II, in Makawanpur district, are already in operation under the cascade model and the foundation stone for the Kulekhani III powerhouse was laid Thursday by Minister for Energy Dr Prakash Saran Mahat.
The project is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 2.43 billion. Nepal Electricity Authority will meet 75 percent of the total investment, with the government meeting the remaining 25 percent. The estimated generation cost per MW at Kulekhani III is Rs 171.4 million, which is much higher than the average Rs 14 million per MW estimated by the government.
The Chinese company Sino Hydro has been engaged in the project since a year as civil contractor. According to project chief Shyam Sundar, the prequalification process for the project´s hydro-mechanical and electro-mechanical work and transmission lines is now in the final stages.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Mahat said that development of hydro-power is important for the economic transformation of the country.
Similarly, Energy Ministry Secretary Shankhar Prasad Koirala claimed that along with Kulekhani III, other projects will also move ahead as the government has given high priority to the completion of some major hydro-power projects in the country. Koirala also said that a solution will be worked out for both the Upper Tamakoshi and Upper Trishuli III ´A´ projects within the next three to four months.
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